An evaluation of the IRI-2007 storm time model at low latitude stations

This paper discusses the ability of the International Reference Ionosphere IRI-2007 storm time model to predict foF2 ionospheric parameter during geomagnetic storm periods. Experimental data (based on availability) from two low latitude stations: Vanimo (geographic coordinates, 2.7 °S, 141.3 °E, magnetic coordinates, 12.3 °S, 212.50 °E) and Darwin (geographic coordinates, 12.45 °S, 130.95 °E, magnetic coordinates, 22.9 °S, 202.7 °E) during nine storms that occurred in 2000 (Rz₁₂ = 119), 2001(Rz₁₂ = 111) and 2003 (Rz₁₂ = 64) are compared with those obtained by the IRI-2007 storm model. The results obtained show that the percentage deviation between the experimental and IRI predicted foF2 values during these storm periods is as high as 100% during the main and recovery phases. Based on the values of “relative deviation module mean” (RDMM) obtained (i.e. between 0.08 and 0.60), it is observed that there is a reasonable to poor agreement between measured foF2 values and the IRI-storm model prediction values during main and recovery phases of the storms under investigation. As a result, in addition to other studies that have been carried out from different sectors, more studies are required to be carried out. This will enable IRI community to improve on the present performance of the model. In general the IRI-storm model predictions follow normal trend of the foF2 measured values but does not reproduce well the measured values.     

Statistical properties of variability of the quiet ionosphere F2-layer maximum parameters over Irkutsk under low solar activity

The statistical analysis of the quiet ionosphere F2-layer maximum parameters variability (deviations of NmF2 and hmF2 from the quiet medians, δn and Δh) under solar minimum at day (10–16 LT) and night (22–04 LT) hours based on data of Irkutsk station for 2007–2010 is presented. It is found that the experimental distribution (histogram) of δn can be approximated by a mixture of two normal distributions. The first and second components of the mixture characterize, mainly, relatively weak and strong fluctuations of δn which are presumably associated with the ionospheric effects of the atmospheric gravity waves and of the planetary waves and tides correspondingly. Deviation of the δn histogram from a single normal distribution is most considerable at night hours in winter and equinoxes. For these conditions the weak fluctuations of δn are mainly negative and the strong ones are mainly positive. The Δh histogram is a normal distribution except day hours in winter and equinoxes when a weak deviation of the histogram from the normal distribution occurs.     

Variability of foE in the equatorial ionosphere with solar activity

This research examined the variability of f_oE in the equatorial ionosphere with solar activity within the equatorial ionospheric anomaly region. Ionosonde data recorded at Ouagadougou (lat. 12.4°N, long. 1.5°W and magnetic dip 1.43°N) were engaged to study the transient variations of the critical frequency of the E-layer (f_oE) and its dependence on solar activity. The study revealed that f_oE increases with the increase in solar intensity of the sun. The variability of the f_oE decreases with increases in the solar activity. The maximum value of the f_oE is at local noon when the ionosphere is stable; the variability at this local time is minimal. The minimum value of the f_oE is at sunrise and sunset, at this period on local time the equatorial ionosphere recorded its maxima variability. Irrespective of the degree of solar activity, f_oE is observed to be maximum in June solstice, followed by the equinoxes and minimum in December solstice. Equinoctial asymmetry occurred in the variation of the relative standard deviation of f_oE with maximum in September/March equinox for low/high solar activity.     

Comparative study of high-latitude,mid-latitude and low-latitude ionosphere on basis of local empirical models

The analysis of the regular features of the high-, mid- and low-latitude ionosphere characteristics has been carried out using local empirical models. The local empirical models were derived from the manual scaled ionogram data recorded by DPS-4 Digisondes located at Norilsk (69 N, 88E), Irkutsk (52 N, 104E) and Hainan (19 N, 109E) for a 6-year period from December, 2002 to December, 2008. The technique used to build the local empirical model is described. Primary focuses are diurnal, seasonal and solar cycle variations of the peak electron density and the peak height under low solar activity and their changes with increasing solar activity. The main objective of the paper is to reveal both common and specific features of high-, mid- and low-latitude ionosphere. Based on earlier comparisons with the International Reference Ionosphere model, we analyze how the common and specific features are reproduced by this model.     

适用于微纳卫星的微型电离层光学探测器

文章介绍了质量小、体积小的微型电离层光学探测器技术,给出了探测器的探测原理和设计方案,通过探测原子氧远紫外夜气辉(136.5 nm)辐射强度,反演电离层总电子含量(TEC)。采用轻量化铝反射镜、抗干扰电荷前放设计,实现反射镜、工业级远紫外探测器、电子学的一体化和小型化,研制出适用于微纳卫星的1 kg量级微型空间电离层光学探测器。该型探测器能够利用微纳星群多种轨道搭载,可获得丰富数据的优势,获取全球电离层高时空分辨率总电子含量分布,为未来实现卫星编队探测提供载荷研制基础。     

武昌低电离层LF观测的季节变化

通过分析武昌低电离层LF观测数据,得到了中低纬度低电离层电子密度剖面的季节变化特征及其与太阳天顶角周年变化的关系,给出LF相位周年振荡幅度的年际变化曲线．     

针对星载SAR法拉第旋转估计的NeQuick-2模型精度分析

P波段星载合成孔径雷达(SAR)凭借其较强的穿透能力,在对森林、沙地等观测方面具有较强的优势,但易受法拉第旋转等电离层干扰的影响,其图像质量严重下降。本文针对现有电离层模型的精度开展分析,以基于GPS的CODE GIM全球电离层实测数据为参考,对比评估NeQuick-2模型的电离层总电子量表征能力。在分析CODE GIM实测数据特点的基础上,讨论其在星载SAR领域的局限性;在解析NeQuick-2模型和方法的基础上,研究其表征精度的影响因素;通过对比该模型生成的电离层数据与CODE GIM数据,验证NeQuick-2模型的估计精度。结果表明:NeQuick-2模型可满足P波段星载SAR的法拉第旋转角估计和校正的需求。     

基于BDS/GPS和经验模型的区域电离层建模

基于北斗卫星导航系统（BDS）和全球定位系统（GPS）实测电离层穿刺点（IPP）数据,结合国际参考电离层（IRI）经验模型历史数据,提出一种对区域二维电离层总电子含量（TEC）进行高精度建模的方法.针对缺乏穿刺点的区域内短时间电离层建模时精度较低且各时段穿刺点空间分布不同的问题,该方法使用IRI模型在建模区域内均匀添加虚拟穿刺点数据,并根据与实测穿刺点的距离,使用构造的权重计算公式赋予其动态权重值,通过加权最小二乘法进行球谐模型参数解算.与欧洲定轨中心（CODE）发布的全球电离层图（GIM）进行数据比对发现,相对于只使用BDS/GPS实测穿刺点数据的建模方法,利用本文建模方法计算获得的垂直总电子含量（VTEC）值对缺乏实测穿刺点的区域精度有明显的提升.      

星载SAR电离层探测及误差补偿

工作于低频波段的星载合成孔径雷达(SAR)信号会受到电离层的显著影响,因此在系统设计时必须考虑相应的补偿方法。基于此,首先开展了适用于低频大宽带SAR模式的电离层影响评估研究,建立了基于勒让德展开的五阶误差分析模型,可有效解决传统模型各阶次耦合问题。其次,针对背景电离层色散问题,开展了基于双频自聚焦算法的补偿研究,利用ALOS PALSAR数据进行了半物理仿真验证,电离层反演精度优于0.4TECU,可有效提升图像聚焦质量;针对法拉第旋转角误差,利用ALOS PALSAR回波散射矩阵信息开展了补偿研究,结果显示,相比官网提供的补偿参数,误差可进一步降低27%。上述基于回波数据本身的补偿研究,可避免第三方数据精度差、分辨率低、需地面接收机、传播路径不一致等问题,同时降低了载荷成本。最后,结合SAR高分辨率特性,基于回波的电离层反演可有效提高现有电离层探测能力,开展了PALSAR-垂测仪联合反演电子密度研究,其结果比仅垂测仪数据精度普遍提高了30%以上。研究成果可为未来低频星载SAR的系统设计提供技术支撑。     

高动态GPS卫星信号模拟器电离层延迟误差模拟方法研究

电离层延迟误差是GPS测量中非常重要的一项误差源，也是高动态GPS卫星信号模拟器要解决的一项关键技术。电离层延迟误差与目标的空间位置有关，在分析地面用户和空问用户不同电离层延迟误差修正方法的基础上，研究了卫星信号模拟器电离层延迟误差产生的途径，并给出了相应的数学模型，解决了不同应用环境下导航电8个电离层修正参数的计算问题，通过仿真计算，验证了本所提出的电离层延迟计算模型的正确性。